TORONTO, ON - February 14, 2015 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today unveiled the new "Scotiabank Pond" in Downsview, Ontario. The renaming of the state of the art, multi-pad arena was part of the events to mark Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, the biggest celebration of Canadian Hockey showcasing this country's love of the game from coast-to-coast. 

Scotiabank Pond is the former Buckingham Arena in Downsview, Ontario.

"We are proud to partner with Buckingham Sports Properties Company to put the Scotiabank name on this premier minor hockey facility," said John Doig, Chief Marketing Officer at Scotiabank. "We know that the love of hockey starts in places like Downsview. And at Scotiabank, the heart of our hockey sponsorship program is in communities like this one right here."

"Scotiabank encourages Canadians across the country to celebrate Canada's unofficial 5^th season -- the hockey season -- and the important role that hockey, particularly community hockey, plays in our lives this Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada," continued Doig.

Scotiabank Pond is home to numerous minor hockey associations that play and practice at the facility, including the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Scotiabank Pond will also be the site of the Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am tournament this spring -- an annual tournament that raises funds for Baycrest Foundation, a leader in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia care, research and education.

"Buckingham Sports is proud to partner with Scotiabank to rename this multi-rink complex in Downsview," said John Cook, Vice President, Buckingham Sports Properties Company. "This facility features 4 NHL size rinks, including 2 dedicated rinks for sledge hockey, and fully-accessible dressing rooms. Together with Downsview Park, we are dedicated to providing boys and girls in the community with access to the great game of hockey."

The unveiling of Scotiabank Pond is one of a number of cross-Canada events marking Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. Scotiabank Pond in Downsview is one of the four remote locations across the country featured during the 13-hour broadcast on CBC.

The day's festivities also included NHL^® Alumnus and former Toronto Maple Leafs player Shayne Corson who coached over 80 boys and girls at Scotiabank Community HockeyFest at Scotiabank Pond.

Under the terms of the five-year agreement, Scotiabank will be the title sponsor of the facility and the exclusive financial services provider at the facility.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL^®, NHL Alumni™, CWHL, Vancouver Canucks^®, Winnipeg Jets^®, Toronto Maple Leafs^®, Ottawa Senators^®, Edmonton Oilers^® and the Calgary Flames^® whose home arena is the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Bank also has a partnership with the Montreal Canadiens^®. Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues. Across Canadian communities coast-to-coast, Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program reaches out to over 5,000 minor hockey teams. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabank.com/the5thseason.

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